Dogs everywhere!

Don’t you understand that being bitten by a random dog is reason to be afraid of free-ranging dogs? I have a scar on my face to this day. Please try to understand that not everyone is comfortable with dogs and they may have good cause.

My dogs don't approach people, they too busy sniffing and wanting to get on with their walks.

My dog is under control, thanks. Being annoyed is not a crime, and being frightened is something you are responsible for. My dog has no interest in you and does not approach people.

My biggest pet peeve is when places say they are dog friendly but aren't. Especially restaurants that put you on tables with no dog room.

I recently had to take my dogs on an emergency trip on a train a significant distance. I arranged it all and was very clear about having two dogs and being on my own.

The restaurant i booked put me on a table where there was no choice but for my dogs to be in the way (tiny table in the middle of the room).

The hotel that was dog friendly, had a dog friendly restaurant etc actually didn't allow dogs in the breakfast bit (fair enough but should have told me when I booked breakfast whilst holding 2 dogs). I could neither take them with me nor leave them in the room. The staff were completely bewildered when I pointed this out.

I booked seats (2 to allow me to sit alone for leg room for the dogs!) and spoke to them about having dogs, had to spend most of my several hour journey hanging out in the doors because I was put in a table seat where the dogs would have been on strangers feet

If you aren't dog friendly then say so!
I would much rather people say, actually our space is too small etc so you can plan

There's nothing worse than having to constantly apologise for dogs being the way when you've paid/ booked for them to be there

It also made me realise how little is set up for one person with dogs, toilets, bars hotels etc seem to assume you can pass them off to someone else to do the important bits

Because it’s been proven that just plodding your dog around the block has no benefits. It’s more rewarding for them to explore and sniff - and tires them out more.

My dog can walk to heel and I do a lot of that training with him off lead in fields so he heels on command (useful when walking past people and crossing roads) but when we’re walking, he’s usually in front having a good old sniff.

I call it his scrolling on social media - checking out the latest news from the neighbourhood 😂

OK but please be aware that many people find free-ranging dogs annoying and even frightening.

I speak as someone who’s been bitten by a dog running far ahead of its owner (it drew blood and I had to go straight to A and E.) No apology from the owner - she told me I was making a ridiculous fuss. Nice.

Also I’ve had clothes spoiled by big a dog jumping at me while on a walk - again, the owner just laughed and told me…yes, you’ve guessed…that “he’s just being friendly!” So that’s all right, then.

Please, dog lovers - control your pets. Not everyone likes dogs, and with good reason.

What do you mean by walking to heel? Do you mean just walking alongside with the lead held loosely?

Brand new cafe in my area, not near any dog walking areas in particular and there was a large dog in there barking loudly in the first week 🙄.

My dog isn’t off lead on pavements or in parks. He’ll walk ahead to sniff (and because he’s not a robot) but he’ll ‘middle’ when passing people so he doesn’t get in their way.

The UK definitely needs more dogs imo.

I have this delightful house guest for 3 weeks.

ETA: Bollocks, can't get the pic to post!

I think the OP wants everyone to have free range rats as pets instead, which isn't too hard to achieve in this country.

I take my dog out so she can have an explore and check her peemails. She can't do that if walking to heel.

Lots of dog lovers on this thread, but all seem to be ignoring my genuine question. Why don’t dogs seem to walk to heel any more?

I asked my dog-owning friend and she said her dog doesn’t.

why not? Has it gone out of fashion. They seem to be all over the place now - worst of all, running free ahead of their owners and bothering other people.

@summerisawesome
Thanks, that's good to know. Sometimes it feels as if there is less discrimination against little dogs.
And yes, I can understand the point about lower shelves.

We have Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, which is why I asked the question. We've taken ours into Pets at Home an odd time when they were young, but I find it hard to imagine taking them into a department store or even a coffee shop, just because of their size.
The holiday cottage thing, I agree, is ridiculous. From what I've seen on here about dog behaviour, small dogs seem to be worse with regard to toileting. The big guys are usually pretty reliable in that regard, so to me it makes little sense.

Desirable? No.
Cats shit in people’s gardens and owners make no attempt to clean up after them. That’s less desirable.

DD and me see loads of dogs on the school run.
One, admitted pretty cute dog, did a huge smelly poo today in the middle of the pavement full of kids today. Is that desirable? Couldn’t be doing with that.

DD said to me, cats don’t do that, they do it in private as would be too embarrassed 😆
I guess that sums up why I’m not a dog person. Probably a personality thing.

YANBU. The buggers are everywhere.
This wouldn’t be a problem if there wasn’t some unwritten rule that everyone has to love dogs.

There are too many annoying dogs/adults/kids, and not enough cats 🐱

Probably because they are loyal companions and most dogs are nicer than most people. I live on a street where there is approximately 10 cats (one house has 6!!) and am sick of them shitting on my garden so pretty much feel that way about cats but then it wouldn’t do for us all to be the same now would it.

You might be onto something there I forgot how bad that smells raw let alone digested.

OP you are so right, dogs are everywhere! They’re all over this thread and this handsome little fucker now lives in my house for some reason!

I’ve been in John Lewis when another customer was in there with the biggest Alsatian I’ve ever seen - he was laid out on the floor causing no one any bother other than a bit of a trip hazard - agree with the poster who said about not buying anything from low shelves in shops that allow dogs - I don’t either .

I have bernese mountain dogs and apparently are welcome most places. Some holiday cottages stipulate "small dogs only", which i think is a bit daft - the big issue i would think is fur.

Tripe, I know someone who fed their dogs tripe, unbelievable smell

I'm slightly curious about the realities of dogs in shops or cafes. Do they make the assumption that most people will have a tiny dog? I mean wandering John Lewis with a Pug or a Miniature Poodle or even a Cocker, might be fine, but would they still allow you in with a Great Dane or an Anatolian or a Caucasian? I'm assuming they'd have to, but I just can't imagine a dog of that size being welcome.... Just curious about it really...